Nepal Defeated by Iraq in Incheon Asian Games 2014

Nepal National U-23 team surrendered to Iraq National U-23 Team in its first group match of Incheon Asian Games 2014 played at Incheon Stadium, Korea on Sunday.

Nepal conceded an early goal in the 4th minute. Poor defense line was the main reason for the first goal. Iraqi veteran Younus Mahmood – who lifted Asian Cup with Iraq 2006 – doubled the tally in the 45+1 minute.

After the break, Nepal slightly improved the game but they were blunt in their affairs. Rohit Chand scored an own goal in the 85th minute while clearing the ball. Iraq completed the rout scoring fourth in 90+1 minute.

The afternoon kick off saw one sided dominance from the start seeing Iraqi taking the lead in the 4th minute when Iraqi striker brilliantly headed the ball home utilizing a free kick.

After they doubled their tally in the first minute of injury time. Younus Mahamood was the man who netted the ball taking an advantage of confused defenders of Nepal. They should have done it ten minutes before had not their striker caught offside after the ball kissed the net.

Nepali side couldn’t make a single notable move in the first half. There was nothing change in the story line in the second session. It was only the Iraqi who failed to score the goals in the chance created.

Coach brought Heman Gurung in the place of Jagjeet Shrestha in 57th minute but that too didn’t help in correcting midfield problem. Coach Stefanowski tried another option, fielding Prakash Budhathoki in the place of Ranjit Dhimal but that effort also went in vain.

When the fourth official was ready to mark his watch with injury time, Rohit Chand gifted Iraq with an own goal in the 85th minute. Injury time goal made the score line 4-0.